Brian Ognjan and David Tyll, both twenty-seven-years-old, grew up together in the small town of Mio, Michigan, one-hundred-eighty miles northwest of Detroit. They had been best friends since serving in the Boy Scouts. Brian was the best man at David’s wedding, and David would be the best man at Brian’s wedding when the time came. Before that could happen, however, the best friends are believed to have met a brutal end.

Two men have been convicted of the murders of Brian Ognjan and David Tyll. The convictions, however, do not provide an end to the story, because neither man’s remains have been found.

Brian Ognjan and David Tyll

Brian Ognjan and David Tyll both lived in the northern suburbs of Detroit, Brian in St. Claire Shores, David in Troy. David worked as a machinist for his father-in-law, while Brian was a mechanic for Michigan Bell. The men loved the outdoors and had planned a hunting and camping trip for the week before Thanksgiving 1985.

On the morning of November 22, Brian and David departed St. Claire Shores in David’s 1980 Ford Bronco. The men were to return home to Mio, one-hundred-ninety miles away, where they planned to visit a friend. From there, they were to drive one-hundred-fifty miles southwest to White Cloud where they would spend the night at the Tyll family cabin and begin hunting the following day.

Brian and David were seen in Mio that afternoon. Before leaving at approximately 3:00 p.m., Brian had cashed a $50 check. David is believed to have been carrying $90.

They Made It To Mio

Brian and David planned to purchase hunting licenses when they arrived in White Cloud. The men, however, never made it to the cabin, nor did they arrive at their friend’s home.

David Tyll and Brian Ognjan sought an enjoyable weekend of hunting, but they are believed instead to have become the prey.

But Mio Was Not Home Sweet Home

Brothers Donald and Raymond Duvall, nicknamed “Coco” and “J.R.”, lived in the woods near Mio. They, along with several other brothers, had surly reputations and were known as bullies with violent tempers.

The Duvall brothers appear to have been so feared that it took eighteen years for anyone to finger them in relation to the missing hunters.

Donald and Raymond Duvall

In 2003, Barbara Boudro said she and a now deceased friend were at the Linker’s Lounge near Mio, on the evening of November 22, 1985. Also at the bar were the inebriated Duvall brothers.

Barbara said after Brian Ognjan and David Tyll entered the bar, an argument ensued between them and a group of people including the Duvall brothers. The dispute soon escalated into physical altercations, and, outside of the bar, into a brawl.

According to Barbara, she and her friend later witnessed the Duvall brothers beat David and Brian to death with an aluminum baseball bat in a field near her home. Afterward, the Duvalls placed the bodies in David’s Ford Bronco and drove away.

Her fear of the Duvall brothers kept Barbara from coming forward sooner.

Barbara Boudro

Other witnesses had also not come forward earlier out of fear. Several added the Duvall brothers bragged about killing the hunters.

Map from Detroit Free Press

Also in 2003, the girlfriend of Raymond Duvall’s son said Raymond had bragged to her that he and his brother had killed the missing hunters because of a dispute over a deer.

Raymond had several large pigs who were said to eat anything put in front of them. The young woman said he told her that he had put Brian and David’s bodies through a wood chipper and fed the remains to the swine. He threatened to do the same to her if she squealed or if she left his son.

Donald’s girlfriend said after telling her he had killed the hunters, he beat her and also threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

The Brothers Are Implicated

Although Brian Ognjan and David Tyll’s bodies were not found, Raymond and Donald Duvall were convicted of the first degree murders of the hunters in October 2003. Each was sentenced to life in prison.

The Duvall brothers are serving their sentences at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. They maintain their innocence and refuse to say what they did with Brian and David’s remains.

The Despicable Duvalls

David Tyll’s 1980 Ford Bronco has never been found. Its Michigan license plate is 447 HRZ, Macomb County. Three people say they saw another Duvall brother, Rex, driving the vehicle for several days after the men’s disappearances.

Another Duvall brother, Kenny, told police he scrapped the Bronco and sold it for parts but insists he did not participate in the murders. Kenny Duvall claims he did not help dispose of David Tyll and Brian Ognjan’s remains and does not know what became of them.

David’s Ford Bronco

Based on witness statements, authorities believe at least three other men were involved with the Duvall brothers in the murders of Brian Ognjan and David Tyll.

Unless the Duvall brothers admit their guilt and implicate these men, authorities doubt they will have enough evidence to charge them.

Others Are Believed Involved

Police have excavated several suggested locations where Brian and David’s remains may be buried.

So far, the searches have come up empty.

 

If you have any information on the likely murders of Brian Ognjan and David Tyll, or on the possible location of their remains, please contact the St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Police Department at 586-445-5305.

Friends till the End

SOURCES:

• Argus-Press
• Associated Press
• The Blade
• Charley Project
• Detroit Free-Press
• Doe Network
• Ludington (Michigan) Daily News
• Ogemaw County (Michigan) Herald